Al-Hilal captain Al-Dawsari out with Injury
Al Hilal's Salem Al Dawsari celebrates scoring their second goal during Saudi Pro League match against Al Orubah on May 12. PHOTO: REUTERS
Al-Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari will miss the remainder of the Club World Cup with a hamstring injury, the Saudi club said on Saturday.
"Medical tests have confirmed that Salem Al-Dawsari has suffered from a hamstring injury. He will be undergoing a treatment and rehabilitation program that will last between four to six weeks," Al-Hilal said in a statement via X.
This means Al-Dawsari will miss Monday's round of 16 clash against Manchester City. Al-Dawsari played a pivotal role in Al-Hilal's campaign in the club world cup, after scoring the opening goal in the team's 2-0 victory over Pachuca on Friday in the third round of the group stage.
The win against Pachuca secured the four-times Asian champions qualification for the last 16 after they finished second in Group H behind Real Madrid.
Chelsea's logistical nightmare
Chelsea are facing a logistical headache at the Club World Cup after finishing second in their group, forcing an unexpected trip to Charlotte for their last 16 match instead of staying in Miami, where the club thought they would be based for the knockout stage.
A club source told Reuters that travel, accommodation and training arrangements were all made with the assumption that the West Londoners would top Group D and play their round of 16 match at Hard Rock Stadium.
Instead, after a 3-1 loss to Brazil's Flamengo and only managing second place despite a 3-0 win over Esperance Tunis in their final group stage fixture in Philadelphia, Chelsea will now face Benfica on Saturday at the Bank of America Stadium.
The detour means reorganising bookings and schedules at short notice, but the club still intends to return to its Miami base after the match, adding more miles to an already hectic itinerary.
If Enzo Maresca's side reach the quarter-finals, they will return to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to face the winner of the all-Brazilian clash between Palmeiras and Botafogo.
Players forced to give up vacation to play Club World Cup: Raphinha
Brazil's Barcelona forward Raphinha regretted that the players were not consulted about extending their season to play at the Club World Cup, adding that nobody should be obliged to give up their vacation time.
The first expanded edition of the Club World Cup started on June 14 and will run until July 13.
The competition followed the European league season which concluded in late May and an international window at the beginning of June.
"Speaking particularly as someone who plays for a European team, we would (currently) be on vacation," Raphinha said. "Marquinhos and Beraldo, from Paris St Germain, won the Champions League and didn't even get to celebrate properly. They came to the national team and then went to the Club World Cup. They still haven't stopped.
"Many say that this is an excuse. It may or may not be, but having to give up our vacations out of obligation is very complicated. It's our right.
Everyone deserves at least a month of vacation. And many of them won't get it."
Most of the major European leagues will be back in action in mid to late August, with the pre-seasons starting early in the month. "If PSG reach the Club World Cup final, they will have the Super Cup right away. It doesn't stop," Raphinha added.
"It depends on your point of view. From my point of view, it's very bad to give up your vacation to play something that you are forced to do. At no point did they ask the players if they wanted to. "It (should be) up to us to accept it. Having to give up your vacation to play in a new tournament is very complicated."
PSG will face Tottenham Hotspur for the Super Cup on August 13.
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